Eighteen months ago the French carmaker cut its model range and slashed its dealer network as sales in Britain slumped. As reported by news agency Headlineauto, Tavares explained: ‘Since then we have put a healthy business plan in place focusing on returning to profit and supporting our customers. We are now leveraging the success of new products such as the Clio, Zoe and Captur.’

‘For the first time the UK unit has a five-year mid-term plan in place called Go5plus and this has the full backing of the dealer network, which is on board with us.’

Tavares added that the company is also addressing pricing issues in the UK, bringing to an end such deals as zero interest finance and cash backs.

‘We are working on this, we have right-sized the company, now we are concentrating on the value of our products. Deals we had in the past did nothing for the value of the brand.’

He added, however, that there has been no decision on when or if Renault will re-introduce its larger models such as the Laguna or Espace.

‘That will eventually be a decision that is taken locally,’ he said.

Tavares revealed that every new Renault since the introduction of the new Clio has to be number one in its consumer clinic before it can be considered for production.

‘If it is not number one we suspend production,’ he said, adding the brand has already done that with one model but declining to name the vehicle.